WNBA Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo drops very concerning message on JuJu Watkins’ return date after ACL injury

During the USC Trojans 2nd Round matchup with the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the NCAA Tournament, all the attention shifted towards sophomore guard JuJu Watkins. The star in South California suffered a gruesome knee injury, which was later confirmed to be a torn ACL. As the 19-year-old is set to undergo surgery and endure a long recovery process, WNBA Hall of Famer and analyst Rebecca Lobo offered a discouraging update on Watkins’ potential return date from her injury.

Unfortunately, Watkins isn’t the first big talent to suffer an ACL injury, nor will she be the last. Fellow college basketball sensation, Paige Bueckers, tore her ACL in August 2022, causing her to miss the entire 2022-23 NCAA season, and so many other talents have gone through similar injuries, as well.

Lobo, who also suffered an ACL injury during his career, understands the struggles and repercussions such an incident can have on Watkins’ body and recovery. JuJu is eligible for the 2027 WNBA Draft, and while the injury shouldn’t be a concern by the time she enters the league, Lobo shared a cautious message, suggesting that early reports on Watkins’ potential return for USC may not be entirely accurate.

While most reports talk about a six-to-nine months recovery process, Lobo underlined recent examples of women college basketball stars, whose return date extended further, almost a year later.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2017 enshrinee Rebecca Lobo speaks during the 2017 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on September 8, 2017 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“What we’ve seen, especially recently with high-level athletes in terms of women’s college basketball is it’s about a 12-month recovery process for them to get back on the court,” Lobo said, via On3. “First of all, emotionally, you’re torn. This is what every athlete dreams of, is this time of year and playing in the NCAA Tournament. And JuJu and her team had a realistic chance to win a national championship this year, so of course, there’s a lot of emotions and feelings there.“

see also

NCAAB News: Angel Reese sends 3-word message to USC star JuJu Watkins after season-ending injury in March Madness

Draft decision

These update from Lobo guides everybody to believe Watkins will miss the entire 2025-26 season, being a medical redshirt during her junior year of college basketball. Watkins would not lose her eligibility for the 2027 WNBA Draft, though she could also look forward to using her final year of eligibility in USC, and instead declaring for the 2028 WNBA Draft.

Paige Bueckers chose that route after returning from her ACL injury during the 2023-24 season. The UConn Huskies’ star opted to use her final year of eligibility and declare for the Draft in 2025. Watkins could do just that, though it’s still too early for her to be making such a pivotal decision.